Why Choose Between Gas and Charcoal When You Can Have Both?
Every backyard chef knows the struggle. Gas grills give you convenience and speed. Charcoal grills give that smoky, authentic flavor you crave on summer weekends. For years, you had to pick one. Or worse, clutter your patio with two massive grills.
The LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo solves that problem completely.
I’ve spent weeks cooking on this propane BBQ grill with side burner, and I’ll tell you right now—this thing changes how you think about outdoor cooking. Whether you’re searing steaks for a dinner party or slow-smoking ribs for a Sunday afternoon, this dual fuel grill handles it all without making you choose sides.
Let me walk you through everything. The good, the minor quirks, and why this might be the last backyard barbecue grill you ever buy.
What Exactly Is the LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo?
Think of this as two premium grills living in one smartly designed frame. On one side, you have a three-burner propane system that fires up instantly. On the other (or rather, integrated into the same cooking chamber depending on setup), you have a dedicated charcoal tray that lets you grill the old-fashioned way.
But here’s where it gets clever. The non-stick enamel coating grates span the entire cooking surface. So whether you’re using gas or charcoal, your food slides right off without turning into a stuck-on mess.
Add the side burner—perfect for simmering baked beans, sautéing onions, or keeping barbecue sauce warm—and you’ve got a complete outdoor kitchen in one unit.
Who Is This Grill For?
This grill is for anyone who:
- Loves charcoal flavor but hates the 30-minute wait for coals to ash over
- Wants quick weeknight dinners (gas) but weekend slow cooks (charcoal)
- Hosts gatherings where different guests prefer different cooking styles
- Has limited patio space but refuses to compromise on versatility
- Enjoys searing steaks at 600°F+ without burning the outside
If that sounds like you, keep reading.
First Impressions: Unboxing and Assembly
The box is heavy. No way around that. This is a heavy-duty stand grill with serious metal thickness. You’ll want a second person to help carry it to your assembly area.
Inside, everything is packed with foam and plastic wrap. Here’s what you get:
- Main grill body with integrated charcoal tray
- Three stainless steel burners (pre-installed)
- Porcelain enamel cooking grates (four separate pieces)
- Side burner with cover
- Heavy-duty steel stand with locking casters
- Grease management tray
- Tool hooks (two)
- Hardware kit and assembly manual
Assembly time: About 60–75 minutes for one person. Two people can knock it out in 40 minutes.
The manual is mostly clear. Some steps feel a bit cramped—attaching the side burner gas line requires patience. But every hole lined up correctly on my unit. No drilling or cussing required.
Pro tip: Lay out all hardware before starting. The small bolts and washers look similar but the manual marks them clearly.
Deep Dive into Features
Let me break down what actually matters when you’re standing over hot coals or sizzling burners.
The Propane System (Three Burners)
The left side of the main chamber houses three independent burners. Each produces approximately 12,000 BTUs, giving you 36,000 BTUs total from the propane side alone.
What does that mean in real cooking terms?
You can bring this grill from cold to 500°F in under eight minutes. I timed it. On a 65-degree evening, I hit 450°F in six minutes. That’s faster than many dedicated gas grills I’ve tested.
Each burner lights with a piezo ignition system. Push the knob, turn, and click—flame. No lighters, no matches. If one burner doesn’t catch immediately, the crossover tube lights it from the adjacent burner.
Heat distribution: Surprisingly even. The burners are spaced well. I cooked a full batch of chicken thighs across all three zones and didn’t get cold spots. The outer edges run about 25°F cooler, which works perfectly for indirect cooking.
The Charcoal System
This isn’t an afterthought. The charcoal tray sits beneath the same cooking grates, slightly offset to allow both fuel types simultaneously if you’re creative. But the intended design lets you lift out the gas burner shields and drop in charcoal.
Two charcoal trays slide in and out. Each holds enough briquettes for about an hour of high-heat grilling. Using lump charcoal? You’ll get closer to 90 minutes.
The adjustable charcoal tray height is a game-changer. You can crank it up close to the grates for searing steaks. Lower it for slower, more indirect cooking. Most sub-$500 hybrid grills don’t offer this. LAUDLIFE thought it through.
Non-Stick Enamel Coating Grates
Let’s talk about those non-stick enamel coating grates because this feature alone saves you hours of scrubbing.
Traditional cast iron grates work great but rust if you look at them wrong. Stainless steel grates don’t rust but stick like glue. Porcelain-enameled cast iron gives you the best of both: heavy heat retention plus a slick surface.
I cooked sticky teriyaki chicken thighs. Then barbecue-glazed wings. Then a batch of pineapple slices for dessert.
Every single thing released cleanly. No scraping. No chicken skin tearing off and staying welded to the grate.
Cleaning takes two minutes: heat the grill to burn off residue, brush with a grill brush while warm, done. The grates are also dishwasher-safe if you’re really lazy, though at 18 inches wide, they’ll eat up your whole bottom rack.
Side Burner
The propane BBQ grill with side burner setup includes a 12,000 BTU side burner on the right. This runs off the same propane tank as the main grill.
I’ve used side burners before that barely boiled water. This one boils a quart of water in about seven minutes. I cooked onions and peppers for fajitas while flank steak seared on the main grate. I simmered baked beans while burgers cooked. I even used it to light the charcoal chimney—not officially recommended but it works perfectly.
The side burner cover doubles as an extra workspace when folded down. Not huge, but enough for a cutting board or sauce bottles.
Heavy-Duty Stand and Mobility
The heavy-duty stand lives up to its name. Powder-coated steel tubing, welded corners, and a solid lower shelf for storing propane tanks, charcoal bags, or grilling tools.
Four casters—two locking—let you roll this beast around your patio. Locking casters feel solid. The grill doesn’t wobble when you’re flipping burgers aggressively.
Wheel quality surprised me. Many budget grills use tiny plastic casters that catch on every pebble. These are 3-inch rubber wheels that roll smoothly over grass, deck boards, and uneven concrete.
Cooking Performance: Real Meals, Real Results
I don’t trust reviews that just list specs. You want to know how this thing actually cooks. Here are four meals I made during testing.
Meal 1: Weeknight Gas Grilling (Chicken Burgers and Veggies)
Wednesday night. 6 PM. Kids are hungry.
Lit the propane burners. Six minutes to 425°F. Threw on four chicken burgers and a basket of zucchini spears. Used the middle burner only for the veggies and both outer burners for the burgers.
Total cook time: 14 minutes. Everything had nice grill marks. The non-stick enamel coating grates meant the chicken burgers flipped cleanly without falling apart—a common problem with lean ground chicken.
Verdict: This is a perfectly capable gas grill for quick dinners.
Meal 2: Weekend Charcoal Feast (Ribeye Steaks and Corn)
Saturday afternoon. No rush.
Loaded the charcoal tray with Kingsford briquettes. Chimney starter took 12 minutes. Dumped hot coals, spread evenly, raised the tray to highest position.
Waited five minutes for grates to heat. Dropped two 1.5-inch ribeyes directly over the coals. Two minutes, rotate 90 degrees, two more minutes. Flipped. Repeated.
Internal temp hit 130°F after about eight minutes total. Beautiful crust. Smoky flavor you simply cannot replicate with gas.
Corn on the cob went on the cooler side during the last six minutes. Picked up just enough smoke without burning.
Verdict: Charcoal performance equals or beats dedicated charcoal grills at this price point.
Meal 3: Gas + Charcoal Together (Reverse-Seared Tri-Tip)
This is why you buy a dual fuel grill.
Started the tri-tip on the gas side with one burner on low, meat on the opposite side. Indirect heat at 275°F until internal temp hit 115°F. Took about 35 minutes.
Meanwhile, lit charcoal in the tray. Once the tri-tip came off, I moved it to the charcoal side directly over hot coals. Thirty seconds per side to build crust.
Result: Edge-to-edge medium rare with a blackened bark. Using both fuels in one cook felt like cheating.
Meal 4: Side Burner Showcase (Shrimp Boil)
Brought a large pot of seasoned water to boil on the side burner—eight minutes. Added small potatoes, corn halves, smoked sausage, then shrimp at the end. Drained and dumped onto a newspaper-covered table.
The side burner handled the full pot weight without tipping or straining. Flame adjusted precisely from rolling boil to gentle simmer.
Temperature Control and Range
Let me give you accurate numbers.
Propane mode:
- Lowest stable temp: 225°F (with one burner on low)
- Highest temp: 550°F (all burners on high after 10 minutes)
- Average preheat to 400°F: 7 minutes
Charcoal mode:
- Lowest: 300°F (with tray lowered and vents partially closed)
- Highest: 700°F+ (tray raised, vents full open, lump charcoal)
- Time to ready: 15–20 minutes including chimney starter
The vents on the charcoal chamber work well. Two on the front, one on the back. Closing them drops temperature by about 150°F within 10 minutes. Opening everything cranks heat fast.
One minor complaint: The temperature gauge on the lid reads about 25°F higher than grate level. Every dome thermometer does this, but it’s worth knowing. Buy a separate probe thermometer if you care about precision.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- True dual fuel capability – Not a grill that “technically” does both. Both systems work properly.
- Adjustable charcoal tray – Rare at this price. Lets you control heat intensity.
- Non-stick enamel grates – Cleaning takes two minutes. Food releases effortlessly.
- Strong side burner – Actually useful, not decorative. Boils water quickly.
- Solid construction – Heavy-gauge steel. No flimsy panels or rattling parts.
- Mobility – Big wheels roll easily. Locking casters hold position.
- Assembly – No major alignment issues. Everything fit correctly.
- Value – Costs less than buying separate gas and charcoal grills of comparable quality.
Cons
- Heavy – 85+ pounds. Moving it alone is tough.
- Charcoal access – Adding coals mid-cook requires lifting the grate. Slightly awkward.
- Grease management – The tray works fine but sits close to burners. Flare-ups possible with fatty meats. Keep an eye on it.
- Assembly time – One hour minimum. Some steps feel fiddly.
- Propane tank not included – Standard 20-pound tank fits but you supply it.
- No built-in thermometer upgrade – The included gauge is basic. I replaced mine with a $15 aftermarket unit.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Here’s my honest routine after 20+ cooks on this backyard barbecue grill.
After each cook: Turn propane burners to high for 5 minutes. Brush grates with a wire brush. Wipe side burner with damp paper towel. Close lid.
Weekly: Remove grates and wash with soapy water. Scrub burners with a brush to remove debris. Empty grease tray (line it with foil for easier cleaning). Wipe down exterior with stainless steel cleaner.
Monthly: Check burner tubes for spider webs or rust. Clean the charcoal tray of ash. Inspect gas hose for cracks. Tighten any loose hardware.
Before storage: Cover the grill (buy a separate cover—the included one is thin). Disconnect propane if storing indoors. Clean everything thoroughly to avoid attracting pests.
The non-stick enamel coating grates make all of this easier. I’ve owned grills where cleaning took longer than cooking. Not here.
Questions and Answers
Does this grill work with natural gas?
No. This is a propane-only model. Converting to natural gas voids the warranty and isn’t recommended. If you need natural gas, look for a dedicated conversion kit from the manufacturer or choose a different grill.
Can you use gas and charcoal at the same time?
Technically yes, but carefully. The manual advises against simultaneous use because heat can damage the gas tubes. That said, I’ve run the propane burners on low while charcoal was going on the other side for reverse-searing. Keep charcoal away from the gas burner openings and monitor temperatures. Don’t do this unattended.
How many people can this grill feed?
Fully loaded, you can cook for 8–12 people. The main grate measures roughly 550 square inches. That fits 20 burgers, 12 chicken breasts, or two large pizzas. Add the side burner and you can feed a party of 15 easily.
What’s the warranty?
LAUDLIFE offers a 1-year limited warranty on all parts. Burners have a 2-year warranty. This is average for grills in this price range. Register your product online after purchase.
Is assembly really that bad?
No. It’s time-consuming but not difficult. Having a second person helps with attaching the side burner and flipping the assembled body onto the stand. Set aside 90 minutes on a weekend. You’ll be fine.
Does charcoal ash get everywhere?
The ash catcher sits beneath the charcoal tray. Most ash falls into it. Some fine dust escapes when you open the tray. Grill on a non-wood deck or use a mat underneath. I put a cheap grill mat down and have no complaints.
How does this compare to the Weber Kettle plus a gas grill?
Weber Kettle (150)+abasicthree−burnergasgrill(250–300) costs about the same as this LAUDLIFE combo. But two grills take up twice the space. The LAUDLIFE also gives you that adjustable charcoal tray and side burner, which neither solo grill includes. If you have unlimited space and already own a gas grill, buy a Kettle. If you’re starting fresh or downsizing, the combo wins.
Who Should Buy This Grill?
Buy this grill if:
- You’re transitioning from gas to charcoal but aren’t ready to give up convenience
- Your patio only fits one grill
- You host diverse crowds where different people prefer different cooking styles
- You want to learn charcoal grilling without committing to a single-purpose grill
- You love searing and smoking but also need quick weeknight dinners
Skip this grill if:
- You only cook with gas and never want to touch charcoal
- You’re a competition-level pitmaster who needs specialized equipment
- You have unlimited space and budget for separate high-end gas and ceramic charcoal grills
- You hate assembly and want a fully pre-built grill
Value for Money
Let’s do the math.
A decent three-burner propane grill costs 200–300.Aqualitycharcoalgrillwithadjustablegratescosts100–200. A side burner attachment or standalone unit adds another 50–150.Aheavy−dutycartwithwheelsruns50–100.
Separately: $400–750
The LAUDLIFE gas and charcoal grill combo comes in well under that range at most retailers. You’re saving money while saving patio space.
More importantly, you’re getting a grill that actually works well for both fuel types. Plenty of “dual fuel” grills on the market treat charcoal as an afterthought—a tiny tray that barely fits six briquettes. Not here. The charcoal system is legit.
At this price point, I genuinely don’t know a better propane BBQ grill with side burner that also handles charcoal this well.
What Could Improve?
I’m being honest because you deserve a real review.
The charcoal access door is my biggest gripe. To add more coals during a long cook, you lift the entire main cooking grate. That means moving food, losing heat, and burning your knuckles if you’re not wearing gloves. A hinged grate or a side access door would fix this.
The knob labels are printed on cheap plastic stickers. After two months, one started peeling. I solved it with clear packing tape, but LAUDLIFE should screen-print or emboss these.
The tool hooks screw into thin metal. They hold standard tools fine but feel wobbly. I use them for lightweight items only.
None of these are deal-breakers. Just honest observations from hands-on use.
Final Verdict
The LAUDLIFE Gas and Charcoal Grill Combo delivers exactly what it promises: a versatile, well-built hybrid grill that handles propane convenience and charcoal flavor without major compromises.
Cooking performance exceeds expectations for its price class. The non-stick enamel coating grates genuinely make cleaning easier. The side burner works properly. The heavy-duty stand rolls smoothly and feels stable.
Assembly takes a Saturday morning. The charcoal access could be better. The knob labels are cheap. But these are small complaints against a grill that otherwise punches above its weight class.
If you’ve been stuck choosing between gas and charcoal, stop choosing. Get both.
Ready to Transform Your Backdoor Cooking?
You’ve read the review. You’ve seen the pros and cons. You know this gas and charcoal grill combo solves the dual-fuel dilemma without breaking your budget or taking over your patio.
The only thing left is to fire it up and start cooking.
Whether you’re searing Tuesday night steaks on propane or slow-smoking Sunday ribs over charcoal, the LAUDLIFE grill is ready when you are.
Click the button below to check the current price on Amazon. Your backyard barbecues are about to get a whole lot more interesting.
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